Rental Housing Guide - Maine State Housing Authority

Subsidized HousingSection 8Housing ChoiceVoucher ProgramThis program helps income-eligible tenants to obtain decent, safe,and sanitary housing by subsidizing a portion of their monthlyrents and paying it directly to their landlords.Both MaineHousing and Local Housing Authorities (referred tohere as Housing Agencies) administer Section 8 Housing ChoiceVoucher Programs. MaineHousing serves areas outside of theLocal Housing Authorities' service areas. In any given regionapplicants may apply to both a Local Housing Authority andMaineHousing for the Section 8 Housing Choice VoucherProgram. (See Pages 3-4.) Because waiting lists can be long, itmay be to applicants' advantage to place their name on multiplewaiting lists. A Local Housing Authority voucher must be usedwithin a Local Housing Authority's service area and similarly aMaineHousing voucher must be used within a MaineHousingservice area.A voucher can be used for any type of private rental housing, ifthe housing meets certain housing quality inspection standardsand the owner accepts the applicant as a tenant. Rent must bewithin the limits allowed by the program. A family that alreadyis renting a suitable apartment, house, or mobile home when theyreceive a voucher may be able to remain in that unit and receivehelp with their monthly rent.Landlords retain normal management rights and responsibilities,including tenant selection, collecting the tenant's share of themonthly rent, property maintenance, and lease termination.How The Program Works1. An applicant calls the Local Housing Authority (see Pages3-4) in the area where he or she wants to live for a preliminaryapplication. If the community does not have a LocalHousing Authority, applications may be obtained fromMaineHousing (see Page 3) or at www.mainehousing.org/HousingChoiceVouchers. Applicants can also apply onlineat https://hcvonlineapp.mainehousing.org.2. The applicant submits a completed application to be placedon the waiting list for a voucher.3. The applicant should respond promptly to all Housing Agencyrequests for updated application information, and makesure to notify the Housing Agency in writing of any changesin address. Failure to do so will result in the applicant's namebeing removed from the voucher waiting list.4. After receiving a voucher, the applicant chooses a rentalunit and discusses the program with the landlord. The unitcannot be owned by a relative (parent, grandparent, sister,brother, child, or grandchild) of any household member.25. The applicant contacts the Housing Agency that issued thevoucher so their inspector may inspect the selected unit.6. If the unit passes inspection, the applicant and the landlordwill sign a lease, and the Housing Agency will sign a contractwith the landlord.7. After the applicant signs the lease and the landlord signs acontract with the Housing Agency, the applicant can moveinto the unit.8. The applicant pays his or her share of the rent to the landlord.9. The Housing Agency will pay the balance of the rent to thelandlord.Tenant Responsibilities• Pay the security deposit.• Pay the rent on time.• Keep the unit clean and safe.• Put questions to the landlord or Housing Agency in writingwhenever possible.• Allow inspections by the Housing Agency at least once ayear.• If planning to move, give written notice according to theterms of the lease to the landlord and Housing Agency.• Report changes in income and family size to the HousingAgency.• Follow the terms of the lease and Maine landlord/tenantlaws.• Follow the tenant responsibilities listed on the voucher.Landlord Responsibilities• Check references of prospective tenants.• Collect the security deposit.• Collect the tenant's portion of rent.• Maintain the apartment in a safe and sanitary condition.• Notify the Housing Agency immediately if a tenant vacatesa unit.• Follow the terms of the lease and Maine landlord/tenantlaws.• Notify the Housing Agency of a proposed eviction. The evictionprocess is governed by Maine law.